Global Memo

Ahead of the eighth annual Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), Oliver Meier of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs assesses the remaining challenges that threaten to undermine international norms against the use of bioweapons, outlines the diverging visions for the BWC, and provides recommendations for how to move forward.

Global Memo

Dozens of wildlife species are endangered, pushed ever closer to extinction by habitat loss and illegal trade. Unfortunately, limiting trade in wild animals and plants can be a contentious process that depends as much on politics as on science. Romy Chevallier and Ross Harvey of SAIIA explain how the debate over elephant conservation elucidates this difficulty and helps demonstrate both how the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora could function better and what could be done to reconcile conflicting positions.

Global Memo

The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea dispute has left many wondering what the next moves might be for the various stakeholders. Euan Graham of the Lowy Institute for International Policy assesses the legal and strategic factors that will shape this contentious issue going forward, including possible areas for fostering cooperation.

Global Memo

Igor Yurgens of Russia’s Institute for Contemporary Development explains the domestic forces shaping Russia’s stance towards NATO, and, bearing these domestic considerations in mind, maps out a path for a détente between the two.

Global Memo

Steven Blockmans and Michael Emerson of the Centre for European Policy Studies assess consequences of a British exit and concludes that a "Brexit" could have serious ramifications for not just the United Kingdom, but also the European Union as a whole.

Events

On October 30–November 1, 2016, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) and CFR convened the ninth Council of Councils regional conference, "Regional Security in a Turbulent World," in Berlin, Germany.

Latest Member Publications

This piece analyzes the Renzi government’s pursuit of two main and interconnected objectives within the EU: the defense and promotion of Italy’s role and the creation of new forms of integration and solidarity among member states.

This article examines the implications of Trump’s election on international climate diplomacy, and recommends that Germany and the EU intensify their outreach to climate allies to deal with the likely fallout of the US reversal on climate change policy.

This examines South Africa’s decision to leave the ICC. It notes that the decision isn’t too surprising given South Africa’s recent trend that places non-interference and sovereignty at the pinnacle of its international relations.